From Repeated Setbacks to AIR 15: Patiala’s Simrandeep Kaur’s inspiring UPSC journey captivates Punjab
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), June 23, 2026: In a remarkable story of perseverance, determination and self-belief, Simrandeep Kaur, the daughter of a farmer from the small village of Birarwal in Punjab’s Patiala district, has secured an impressive 15th rank in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, one of the toughest competitive exams in the country.
Her achievement has brought pride not only to her family but also to Punjab. In recognition of her success, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria honoured Simrandeep at a special ceremony on June 22. The moment proved emotional for her family, particularly her father, Kuldeep Singh, whose eyes filled with tears as he watched his daughter receive the honour from the Governor.
Behind this success lies a story of resilience. Simrandeep cleared the UPSC examination in her fourth attempt after years of hard work and setbacks. She had successfully cleared the preliminary examination three times earlier but could not make it through the mains stage. Rather than allowing failure to discourage her, she carefully analysed the answer-writing techniques of previous UPSC toppers and redesigned her preparation strategy.
“Every failure taught me something new,” Simrandeep shared. “I focused on improving my answer-writing skills and understanding how successful candidates approached the examination.”
Her dream of joining the civil services began during her school days. While studying in Class 12 (Medical stream), she attended a school function where a PCS officer was invited as the chief guest. Inspired by the officer’s personality and commitment to public service, Simrandeep decided that she too wanted to serve society through the civil services.
After completing her schooling, she pursued a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Khalsa College, Patiala. She later chose Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) as her optional subject for the UPSC examination.
Coming from a modest farming family, Simrandeep’s journey was not without challenges. Her father, Kuldeep Singh, works as a farmer, while her mother, Amandeep Kaur, is a homemaker. Despite limited financial resources, her parents remained committed to supporting her education and aspirations.
Unlike many UPSC aspirants who spend lakhs of rupees on coaching, Simrandeep largely relied on self-study. She dedicated eight to ten hours every day to preparation from home and succeeded without attending regular classroom coaching programmes. In 2022, however, she received valuable support from Sankalp Sanstha, which provided free coaching and guidance that helped strengthen her preparation.
Sharing her message for future aspirants, Simrandeep emphasized that success in UPSC is not determined by expensive coaching or endless study hours. According to her, consistency, smart preparation, frequent revision, and unwavering dedication are the real keys to success.
Today, Simrandeep Kaur’s journey from a small village in Patiala to securing an All-India Rank among the country’s top civil service aspirants stands as an inspiring example for thousands of young people across Punjab and beyond. Her story proves that determination, discipline, and perseverance can overcome even the toughest obstacles.